Exhauster for sprinkler systems



March 2, 1937. w. B. GRIFFITH ET AL 2,072,634

EXHAUSTER FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Filed June 25,1935

Cil

Patented Mar. 2, 1937 Unirse stares FA'H'ENT @FHQE William B. frifith, Audubon, N. J., and David Arthur Keller, Drexel Hill, Pa.

Application June 25, 1935, Serial No. 28,269

i6 Claims.

Our invention relates to improvements in dry pipe sprinkler re extinguishing systems containing air under pressure for holding the dry pipe valve closed against water under a supply pressure. The invention particularly relates to systems including apparatus for rapidly exhausting the air pressure and for accelerating the opening of the dry pipe valve upon the opening of a sprinkler head.

'I'his invention particularly relates to further improvements in exhausters disclosed in an application filed by us on the 14th day of May, 1935, Serial No. 21,364.

The object oi our present invention is to provide novel means for sealing the restricted passageway, or orice, communicating With the retaining chamber of the exhauster, and thereby eliminating the possibility of failure of operation due to the restricted orice being obstructed.

A further object is to provide an exhauster having a retaining chamber with a sealed variable capacity container forming a reservoir in communication with the retaining chamber. The sealed container prevents the air of the system from coming into direct contact with the pressure medium contained and sealed within the reservoir and the retaining chamber.

A further object is to provide two variable capacity containers in communication through a restricted orifice, and sealing the containers for excluding the air of the system so that foreign particles cannot be carried by the system air into and obstruct said orifice.

A further object is to provide seal-ed containers arranged so that air may be utilized as the fluid medium within the containers, or both air and a liquid may be utilized as the pressure medium and the liquid will be retained in any position in which the exhauster may be placed during shipment, without the loss of any of the liquid.

A further object is to provide an exhauster with means for supporting the sealed containers, one above the other, so that both air and liquid may be employed within the containers and the air will rise above the liquid and form a freely expansive medium in the upper container, or retaining chamber, when the exhauster is placed in the operating position.

A further object is to construct an exhauster having a casing forming a pressure chamber, locate two sealed flexible containers and an exhaust valve in said pressure chamber and provide novel valve opening mechanism, operatively associated with one of the containers for opening the valve, and provide said casing with an inlet chamber in which is located a drain valve, and means for opening the latter upon the opening of said exhaust valve.

These together with various other novel features of construction and arrangement of the parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed, constitute our invention.

The accompanying drawing is a vertical sectional view of our improved exhauster and shows, diagrammatically, the exhauster connected with a dry pipe sprinkler system, in dot and dash lines. Referring to the drawing, represents a combination accelerator and exhauster, comprising a casing formed of sections l, 3, and Si, which sections are secured together by fastening devices l2 and lil. A diaphragm it is positioned between the anges l@ and i'l of the sections 8 and 9. The lower section 9 is provided with an inlet connection 2E). A pipe 2l, shown in dot and dash lines, connects section 9 with the riser pipe 22 of a sprinkler system shown diagrammatically. The system includes a dry pipe valve 25, connected with the riser Z2 and a water supply pipe 26. The valve 25 has an air clapper 2l, a water clapper 28 and an intermediate chamber 29, l

formed between the clappers. The clappers are held closed against the Water pressure in the pipe 2li by air under the system pressure contained in the riser 22 and the branch pipe having automatic sprinkler heads 3u.

The section il of the casing is provided with a drain aperture 32 for the connection of a -drain pipe 33. A valve seat 35 is provided upon the section 9 and surrounds the drain aperture 32. A drain valve 35 is normally held closed upon the seat Bil by a spring 355, interposed between the valve and a bearing 3i, supported by arms 38 extending from the walls of the section il. The drain valve 35 is secured upon a shaft Sil, movably mounted in the bearing 3l'. The upper end of the shaft is secured by clamp plates fill and 4| to the diaphragm l5. The shaft 39 is provided with a small passageway 43 through which air under the system pressure may slowly equalize in the chambers i5 and 46 formed on opposite sides of the diaphragm l5, thus permitting the spring to normally hold the drain valve 35 closed upon its seat. When the pressure is exhausted from the pressure chamber d5, as more fully hereinafter described, the system pressure in the inlet chamber i5 will move the diaphragm and lift the drain valve 35 against the action of the spring 36, and allow the air to rapidly exhaust through the drain pipe 33.

The novel features of the present invention include two flexible containers 48 and i9, located within the pressure chamber 45, said containers are preferably in the form of sylphons, having end heads which are movable by unequal pressures within and without the containers.

The containers liti and All are sealed so that the air under the system pressure cannot enter the same. The system pressure acts externally upon the containers for compressing a fluid medium contained Within the containers. A bearing 50 has a passageway, or orice 5| formed through the same. The passageway 5I forms a means of communication between the containers through which the pressures within the containers may slowly equalize.

The bearing 59 forms a support for the containers 48 and 49. Said connection 50 is provided with lugs 53 and 54 which rest upon inwardly projecting lugs 55 and 56 formed upon the section 8 of the casing. Fastening devices 58 are provided for removably mounting the connection 59 upon the section 8.

The passageway 5| formed through the con-- nection 50 is provided with a tube 69, formed of glass or other material impervious to corrosion due to the presence of the liquid within the containers. The aperture through the tube 6! forms the restricted passageway, or orifice 5| for retarding the equalization of the pressures within the containers. The tube 50 is secured in the bearing 50 by a packing gland 6l.

The head or top wall 63 of the container 48 is detachably secured to the bearing 59, making the gland 6I accessible. The lower wall 94 is free to move and allows the container 48 to expand and contract, thus forming a variable capacity container or reservoir.

The container 49 is mounted above the bearing 50 and forms an expansible pressure retaining chamber 65 for containing air placed under pressure by the compression of the reservoir or container 48 by the system pressure within the pressure chamber 45. The upper head or member 68 of the container 49, is movable outwardly by the expansive action of the air retained under pressure within the container 49, upon the sudden reduction of the system pressure within the pressure chamber 45.

The bearing 50 has an extension 69 which extends into and occupies the container 49 and reduces the capacity of the air retaining chamber 65, and said extension B9 forms a stop for limiting the movement of the head 68 by external pressure acting upon the head S8.

The containers 48 and 49 may be entirely filled with air, or they may contain air and a body oi liquid 10, such as water, oil or mercury. When air and liquid are employed, the liquid fills the container 48 and partially iills the container 49. The volume of air is contained in the retaining chamber G5 between the surface of the liquid and the head 68, and the air is compressed by the liquid to a pressure equal to the external pressure to which the containers are subjected.

The bearing 50 is provided with a post 'l2 having a spout 'I3 formed thereon. Said bearing 50 also has formed therein a filling aperture 14 in communication with the spout and through which the liquid may be poured for lling the containers up to the level of the spout, thus leaving sufficient space between the liquid and the head G8 to form the air retaining chamber 65. A plug 'l5 is provided for normally sealing the aperture 74. The head 68 is provided with an air vent which is normally closed by a plug '16.

The lug 55 of section 8, is of hollow construction and forms an exhaust passage 18, and a connection for a pipe T9 connected with the intermediate chamber 29 of the dry pipe valve. The lug 54 of the connection 50 has an aperture which aligns with the exhaust passage 18. A gasket 8| forms an air tight joint between the facing surfaces of the lugs.

An exhaust valve 83 is located in the pressure chamber 45. Said valve comprises a body portion 84, mounted on a tubular fitting 85, which in turn is secured in the aperture 89 of the lug 54. Said body portion 84 has a valve seat 3B and a bearing arm 8T for a shaft 88, on which shaft is pivotally mounted a clapper 99, having a projection or tongue 99. Said clapper 99 is movable to and from the valve seat 86, for controlling the ow of air from the pressure chamber d5. The clapper 89 is normally held closed upon the seat by the air pressure within the chamber 45.

The exhaust valve 93 is opened by valve opening mechanism comprising a latch lever 9i, pivotally mounted upon a pin 92, which in turn is mounted upon a post 93, forming part of the movable head E8. A valve opening member 95 is pivotally mounted upon a pin 95, supported upon an arm 5'! secured upon, or forming part of the bearing post 12. A lug 98 upon the post 'l2 forms a point of attachment for one end of a spring 99. The opposite end of the spring is secured to an arm {Gi} forming part of the valve opening member 95.

The latch lever 9i has a projection, or shoulder |93, which engages the tooth E94 formed upon the end portion of the member 95, and holds said member against movement by the action of the spring 99. The opposite end of the lever 9i has a weight i515 which tends to hold the end or" the lever carrying the shoulder |93 in engagement with the member 95.

The level' 9i is also provided with a lug |95 which is normally in engagement, or contact, with the surface of the member 95, as shown in full lines in the drawing. When the head 58 and lever pivot pin 92 are moved upwardly by the expansive action of the air in the container 49, the lever 9i will be rotated upon the pin 92 and about a fulcrum point formed between the lug |06 and the member 95, which movement o the lever will cause the shoulder i922 to withdraw from and release the member 95. as shown in dot and dash lines. When the member 55 is released from the lever 9i the spring 99 moves the member 95 into engagement with the tongue 99, formed on the clapper 89, and moves the clapper into the open position, shown in dot and dash lines, thus opening the exhaust valve and exhausting the air from the pressure chamber 5.

The upper section 'l of the casing is provided with an opening which is normally sealed by a plug lill. By removing the plug the clapper may be reset upon its seat and the member may be engaged with the latch lever 9i, as shown in full lines.

Links 598 are loosely pivoted upon the pins 92 and 699. Said links are provided for preventing the spring 99 from tending to move the head G8 out of vertical alignment with the longitudinal axis of the container 49.

The operation o the invention is as follows: '111e air under the system pressure tends to keep the drain valve 55 and the exhaust valve 83 closed, also the clappers 2l and 2B of the dry pipe valve closed. The air under the system pressure passes through the passageway 43 and equaliZes the pressures in the chambers 45 and 45, located on opposite sides of the diaphragm l5, during slow changes in the system pressure due to leakage.

The air under the system pressure in the chamber 45 will tend to compress the containers 4S and 49. The movable member, or head 68 is prevented from moving downwardly, by the extension 69, a sufficient distance to release the CII `|03 from the member 95.

latch lever 9i from the exhaust valve opening member 95. The air under pressure in the chamber 45.will continue to compress the container 48 until the air in the retaining chamber 65, within the container 49 and immediately below the head 68, is under a pressure equal to the pressure in the pressure chamber l5 acting upon the upper surface of the head 53, therefore said head will not be moved.

During slow chan-ges in the system pressure, due to leakage, the pressure in the pressure chamber 155 will vary the external pressure upon the containers and the pressure medium within the containers will slowly pass through the restricted passageway or orifice 5l, and allow the pressures in the containers to equalize.

A sudden reduction in the system pressure, caused by the opening of a sprinkler head ii, reduces the pressure in the chambers "l5 and 445. The reduction of the pressure in the chamber 45, causes a reduction oi the pressure upon the exterior of the containers 48 and 49 and upon they upper side of the head 58, and also upon the exhaust valve clapper 89. The air under pressure within the retaining chamber E5 is retained for 4a relatively long period of time by the restricted orifice 5|, and the expansive action of the air `within said retaining chamber 65 moves the head 68 upwardly and causes the latch lever 9! to rotate about the lug |06, as a fulcrum riding upon the member 95, and rele-ases the shoulder The spring 99 then opens the clapper 89, to exhaust from the rotates the member 95 and thereby allowing the air chamber 45 and pass to the intermediate cham -ber 29 of the dry pipe valve and accelerate the opening of the clappers 2l and 28.

When the air pressure is exhausted from the chamber by the opening of the exhaust valve 83, the system pressure still remaining in the inlet chamber 4E will act upon the under surface of the diaphragm I5, due to the small restricted passageway 43, and cause the diaphragm l5 to lift the drain Valve 35 from its seat, thus r allowing all the air under the system pressure to rapidly exhaust through the drain pipe When the pressure again equalizes on opposite sides of the diaphragm l5 the drain valve 35 will be closed by the action of the spring 36, thus preventing the flow of water into the drain pipe `33, when the air is replaced by water throughout the system by the opening of the dry pipe valve.

Should the exhauster casing 6 be lled with Water after the opening of the dry pipe valve, the water will not enter the containers #i8 and i9 due to the employment oi sealed containers, thus avoiding the necessity of draining the containers and refilling them, with the proper quantity of iiuid, after each operation of the system :for testing purposes or actual operation for iire protection.

The sealed containers permit the exhauster to be placed in any position during shipment without the` loss of the liquid from the containers. When the exhauster is installed in a vertical po sition, the arrangement of the containers one abovethe other will insure the rising of the air into the retaining chamber instead of forming an air pocket within the container 48.

The containers may be lled entirely with air as the sealed containers exclude ali foreign particles which would otherwise be carried into and obstruct the restricted oriiice. We prefer to partially lill the containers with liquid and a relatively small volume of air which will readily expand and move the head 68.

By using a large body of liquid and a relatively small volume of air in the containers the latter will have less movement, and they may be smaller in size, than when air alone is used as the pressure fluid.

Various changes may be made in the construction of the parts and the operation thereof without departing from our invention.

We claim:-

l. In a combined accelerator and -exhauster for I a dry pipe iire extinguishing system containing from said system actuated by a release of pressure from the pressure chamber at a rate greater than can be admitted, the release of said pressure being effected by means actuated by the expansion of said retaining chamber caused by the expansive action oi excess pressure in the retaining chamber relatively to the pressure in said pressure chamber, a sealed exible container located in said pressure chamber and subjected externally to the pressure in said pressure chamber, and a connection forming a restricted passageway between said container and the retaining chamber through which said pressure medium may slowly equalize.

2; In a combined accelerator and exhauster for a dry pipe re extinguishing system containing air under pressure, a casing forming a pressure chamber adapted to communicate with the piping of said system, sealed variable capacity containers located in the casing and subjected externally to the pressure in said casing, said containers encasing a pressure medium, a connection between said containers through which the pressures Within the containers slowly equalize, a valve controlling the exhausting of the pressure from the casing, and means operatively associated with the valve and one of said containers and operable by the expansive action of the last mentioned container for opening said valve upon the occurrence of a sudden reduction in the pressure in said casing.

3. In a combined accelerator and exhauster for a dry pipe re extinguishing system containing air under pressure, a pressure chamber adapted to communicate with the piping of said system .and containing air under the system pressure, a sealed expansible air retaining container located in said pressure chamber and subjected externally to pressure in said pressure chamber, means associated with said container and said pressure. chamber adapted to slowly equalize the pressure within said container relatively to the pressure in said pressure chamber, a valve controlling the ow of air under pressure from said pressure chamber, a valve opening member movably mounted within the pressure chamber, a spring tending to move said member into engagement with the valve for opening the latter, a lever pivotally mounted upon and movable with said container, a part upon one end of the lever detachably engaging said member for holding the latter against the action of the spring, a weight upon the opposite end of the lever tending to hold said part in engagement with said member,

and a part upon the lever normally fulcrumed upon said member and arranged to release said member from the lever by a movement of said container caused by the expansive action of air retained under excess pressure within said container relatively to the pressure in the pressure chamber.

4. In a combined accelerator and exhauster for a dry pipe fire extinguishing system containing air under pressure, a casing forming a pressure chamber adapted to communicate with the piping of said system, sealed Variable capacity containers located in said casing, a pressure medium comprising air and liquid within said containers, a connection forming a restricted passageway between said containers through which the pressures within said containers may slowly equalize and the air may rise to the upper one of said containers, said restricted passageway arranged for retarding the equalization of the pressures in said containers upon the occurrence of a sudden reduction in the pressure in said casing, a valve controlling the exhausting of the pressure from said casing and valve actuating mechanism operatively associated with Said valve and one of said containers and operable by the expansive action of of the pressure medium retained in the last mentioned container by said restricted passageway upon the sudden reduction of the pressure in said casing.

5. In a combined accelerator and exhauster for a dry pipe re extinguishing system containing air under pressure, a casing forming a pressure chamber adapted to communicate with the piping of said system, a sealed exible container forming a reservoir and containing a pressure medium, a sealedflexible container forming a pressure retaining chamber, a connection between said containers and arranged for the slow equalization of the pressure medium within said containers, said containers located within the casing and subjected externally to the pressure in said casing, means operatively associated with said retaining container and arranged to limit the movement of said retaining container by excess external pressure relatively to the pressure within the retaining container, a valve controlling the exhausting of the pressure from said casing, and valve opening mechanism arranged to be actuated by a movement of the retaining container caused by the expansive action of the pressure medium within the retaining container upon the occurrence of a sudden reduction in the pressure in said casing.

6. In a combined accelerator and exhauster for a dry pipe re extinguisher system containing air under pressure, a casing forming a pressure chamber adapted to communicate with the piping of said system, a sealed lexible container forming a reservoir, a sealed expansible air re- 'taining container, a connection forming a restricted passageway between said containers, .a body of liquid in said reservoir and said connection and occupying a portion of the retaining container, said containers located within the casing and subjected externally to the pressure in said casing, a valve controlling the flow of air under pressure from the casing, and mechanism operatively associated with the valve and the retaining container and arranged for opening the Valve by a movement of the retaining container caused by the expansive action of the air retained in the retaining container by the liquid upon the occurence of a sudden reduction in the pressure in said casing.

'7. An exhauster for a dry pipe sprinkler system comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber adapted to communicate with the pressure region of said system, a sealed variable container forming a reservoir, a sealed variable pressure retaining container, said containers located in said pressure chamber, a pressure medium within said containers, a connection forming a restricted passageway between said containers through which the pressure medium slowly equalizes Within said containers, means for exhausting the air from said pressure chamber, and means operatively associated with Said first mentioned means and with said retaining container and actuated by the expansive action of the pressure medium retained within said retaining container upon the sudden reduction of the pressure in the pressure chamber for exhausting the air under pressure from said pressure chamber.

8. An exhauster for a, dry pipe sprinkler system comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber adapted to communicate with the pressure region of said system, a sealed flexible container forming a reservoir, a sealed flexible container forming a pressure retaining chamber, a pressure medium within the containers, a restricted connection between said containers and arranged for the slow equalization of the pressures within the containers, a part movably mounted upon said retaining container and movable by excess pressure in the retaining container, said containers located in said pressure chamber of the casing, a valve controlling the flow of air from said pressure chamber, and means operatively associated with said part and the valve for opening the latter upon the movement of said part caused by excess pressure retained in the retaining container upon the sudden reduction of the pressure within the pressure chamber of the casing.

9. An exhauster for a dry pipe sprinkler system comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber adapted to communicate with the pressure region of said system, a sealed flexible container forming a reservoir, a sealed expansible air retaining container, a restricted connection forming a restricted passageway between said containers, a body of liquid in the reservoir and in said connection and occupying a portion of the retaining container and arranged for compressing the air in the retaining container, said containers located in said pressure chamber, a valve controlling the flow of air from said pressure chamber, and valve opening mechanism operatively associated With the valve and said retaining container and arranged to be actuated by a movement of the retaining container caused by the expansive action oi the air retained under pressure in the retaining container by the liquid upon the occurrence of a sudden reduction in the pressure system.

l0. An exhauster for a dry pipe sprinkler system comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber adapted to communicate with the press 're region of said system, a sealed Iiexible container forming a reservoir, a sealed expansible air retaining container said containers located within said pressure chamber, a body of liquid occupying said reservoir, a connection between said containers through which the liquid passes to and from the retaining container, said connection having a part having a restricted orifice, said part formed of material impervious to corrosion by the presence of the liquid, and means operatively associated with said retaining con- CFI tainer and arranged for exhausting the air from said pressure chamber by the movement of said retaining container caused by excess pressure in the latter relatively to the system pressure.

11. An exhauster for a dry pipe sprinkler system comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber adapted to communicate with the pressure region of said system, .a sealed flexible con- ,tainer forming a reservoir, a pressure medium within said reservoir, a sealed flexible container forming an air pressure retaining chamber, said containers located in said pressure chamber, a member supported upon said casing and forming a common wall for said containers, said member having a restricted passageway formed through the same and arranged for the slow equalization of the pressure medium in said containers, an extension upon said member and arranged for limiting the compression movement of said retaining container, an exhaust valve controlling the flow of air from said pressure chamber, and means actuated by a movement of the retaining contain-er caused by the expansive action of air under excess pressure relatively to the system pressure and retained in the retaining container for opening the exhaust valve.

12. An exhauster for a dry pipe sprinkler system comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber adapted to communicate with the pressure region of said system, two sealed ilexible containers located in said pressure chamber, a member supported upon said casing and forming a common wall for said containers, said member having a restricted passageway formed through the same and forming a communication between said containers, a body of liquid and a relatively smaller volume of air confined within said containers, an exhaust valve controlling the flow of air from said pressure chamber, and means operably associated with said containers and said valve and arranged for opening the latter upon the occurrence of a sudden reduction of the pressure in said pressure chamber.

13. An exhauster for a dry pipe sprinkler system comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber, a sealed flexible container forming a reservoir, a sealed flexible container forming a pressure retaining chamber said containers 1ocated in said casing, a pressure medium within the containers, a connection between said containers and having a restricted passageway between said containers, a head movably mounted upon said retaining container and movable by excess pressure in said retaining chamber relatively to the pressure in said pressure chamber,

a latch lever pivotally mounted upon said head, a valve controlling the ilow of air from said pressure chamber, a valve opening member movably mounted within the casing, a spring tending to move said member into engagement with the valve for opening the latter, and cooperating parts upon said lever and upon said member tending to hold the latter against the action of the spring and arranged for releasing said member from the lever when said head is moved by excess pressure in said retaining container upon the sudden reduction of the pressure in said pressure chamber.

14. An exhauster for a dry pipe sprinkler system comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber adapted to communicate with the pressure region of said system, a sealed flexible container forming a reservoir, a pressure medium Within said reservoir, a sealed flexible container forming an air pressure retaining chamber, said containers located in said pressure chamber, a connection forming a restricted passageway between said containers, a valve controlling the flow of air under pressure from said pressure chamber, a valve opening member movably mounted Within the pressure chamber, a spring tending to move said member into engagement with the valve for opening the latter, a lever pivotally mounted upon and movable with said retaining container, a part upon said lever detachably engaging said member for holding said member against valve opening movement by the action of the spring, and a part upon the lever normally fulcrumed upon said member and arranged to release said member from the lever by movement of the retaining container caused by the expansive action oi air retained under excess pressure within the retaining container relatively to the system pressure.

15. An exhauster comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber containing air under pressure, a sealed expansible pressure retaining container, a head forming a movable portion of said retaining container, a bearing rigidly mounted within the casing and forming a support for said container, a bearing post upon said bearing, an exhaust valve upon said casing, a valve opening member pivotally mounted upon said post, a spring tending to move said member into valve opening position, a lever pivotally mounted upon said head, cooperating parts upon the lever and said member for holding the latter against the action of the spring, a part upon said lever detachably fulcrumed upon said member and arranged for rotating the lever into a position to release said member from the lever by a movement of the head, means associated with the head for limiting the movement oi the head by excess pressure in said pressure chamber, and a sealed ilexible container located in the casing, and a connection forming a restricted passageway between said containers.

16. An exhauster for a dry pipe sprinkler system comprising a casing having an inlet chamber and aV pressure chamber in communication through a restricted passageway, a diaphragm movably mounted upon the casing and separating said chambers, said casing having an inlet connection through which air under the system pressure is admitted to the inlet chamber, sealed flexible containers located in and subjected externally to the pressure in said pressure chamber, a connection forming a restricted passageway between said containers, a pressure medium within said containers, an exhaust valve controlling the iow of air under pressure from said pressure chamber, means operatively associated with the valve and one of said containers for opening the valve by a movement of the last mentioned container caused by the expansive action of air retained within the last mentioned container upon the sudden reduction of the system pressure within the pressure chamber, a drain valve located in said inlet chamber, and a connection between said diaphragm and the drain valve and arranged for opening the drain valve by a movement of the diaphragm caused by a preponderance of the system pressure remaining in said inlet chamber after the pressure in said pressure chamber has been exhausted through the exhaust valve.

WILLIAM B. GRIFFITH. DAVID ARTHUR KELLER. 

